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Haversian

Haversian

1 9.9
Relating to the small tubes in bone that hold blood vessels
  • adjective
  • /həˈvɜrʒən/
  • Specialized
translation icon : haversiano
  • When a baby grows, their bones get Iarger... by having caIcium Iayers form over the haversian canaIs.

Examples

  • The Haversian systems in bone tissue allow for the transport of nutrients and waste.

  • Microscopic examination revealed the complex structure of the Haversian canals in the femur.

  • In healthy bone, the Haversian canals are crucial for maintaining the tissue's strength and flexibility.

Compounds

Haversian canal
  • Specialized
1 7.5

A small channel in bone that contains blood vessels and soft tissue

Surface Forms

Haversian positive

Morphology

Haversian = Havers (opaque) = Havers + ian

Formed from the proper name 'Havers' plus the adjectival suffix '-ian'; the meaning is specialized and not derivable by learners who do not know the eponym.

Etymology

Haversian is named after the English doctor Havers, who first described the tiny canals in bone. The ending -ian means 'related to' or 'belonging to', so Haversian simply means 'related to Havers', which is why we use it for the canal system in bone.